The Bajaj Group is amongst the top 10 business houses in India. The group's flagship company, Bajaj Auto, is ranked as the world's fourth largest three and two-wheeler manufacturer and the Bajaj brand is well-known across several countries in Latin America, Africa, Middle East, South and SouthEast Asia.
Jamnalal Bajaj is the founder father of Bajaj group. Born in Rajasthan in 1889. He was a great follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He was also known as “5th Son of Gandhiji”.
After Jamnalal Bajaj his son Kamalnayan Bajaj took over the business in 1942. As Kamalnayan Bajaj was also a great follower of Mahatma Gandhi he could devote all his attention to business after Independence in 1947. Kamalnayan Bajaj handled this business for 27 years and after that Rahul Bajaj became the chairman of Bajaj Group and Managing director of Bajaj Auto.
Under Rahul Bajaj leadership, turnover of this group went from 7.2 crores to 12,000 crores. Rahul bajaj was one of India's most distinguished business leaders but unfortunately, he passed away recently on 12th February 2022.
In 2005, Rahul Bajaj's son Rajiv stepped into the shoes of Managing Director of Bajaj Auto. After becoming M.D of the company Rajiv introduced a revolutionary range of bikes known as “Pulsar” which altogether changed Industry’s dynamics and consumer preference towards sports bikes.
Remember those ads where 2-3 bikers were doing wheelies & stoppies on Pulsar bikes.
In 2007, Bajaj Auto acquired a 14.5% stake in KTM (2 wheeler premium segment bikes) that has since grown to 48%. Bajaj Auto today exclusively manufactures Duke range of KTM bikes and exports them worldwide. In FY2018, KTM was the fastest growing motorcycle brand in India.
Bajaj Auto today exports to 65+ countries with a significant share of revenue coming from the International market.
Bajaj Auto today has a very wide product portfolio under its umbrella which includes:
2 Wheelers:
Premium segment (Pulsar, Duke, KTM, Dominar etc)
Mass segment (CT 110, Platina etc)
Electric scooter (Chetak)
3 Wheelers/ Passenger carrier:
Rikshaw (RE, Maxima Z, Maxima X wide,)
Goods Carrier: Maxima C
Qute (Four wheel)
This was the journey of a company which revolutionized the 2-3 wheeler Industry. Hope you liked it.